Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-12-03

that you sold yourself to me! / thought
that you loved a little, Notwithstanding
the disparity of years between US"
He ceased speaking, and abruptly left
the room. For moment MabePs heart
softened toward him; but the next she
rose up and, sweeping her eyes over the
magnificent apartments, said bitterly
No, no; cannot do without them"
She assembled to her chamber, where her
maid was awaiting her coming. She
hands, and having substituted morning
wrapper for the party robes she dismissed
her sleepy attendant and sank into an easy
chair which stood before the fire. She
folded her white, jeweled bands in her lap
and thought over the events of the past
few years.
"What vain, proftless life | have
lived" she murmured, regretfully. Who
has been benefited by it? Not even my
SELF And with the abundant means [
have wasted how much | might have
done Have l, indeed, been happier than
| was when / sat in my little chamber, the
only ornaments l possessed white rose
for my hair and my mothers old-fashioned
wedding ring for M finger"
And with her mothers memory came
back tenderness, softness to the heart
of Mabel Holbeck which had not visited it
for years.
and l WILL" she added, resolutely. 81
cannot recall the past, but L can at least
prove to my husband that L am not dead
to all sense OF honor or shame"
Mabel descended to the breakfast-room
a different person. The elements of true
womanhood had so long slumbered in her
breast that only the rudest shock could
have aroused them. With their awaken
ing came the conviction of her unworthi-
ness and determination to regain the
esteem she had lost.
Colonel Holbeck was not present at the
table, and to the servant who waited upon
him he said, Excuse me to your mistress
and bring me cup of coffee. | wish
nothing else"
81 will carry it to him myself" said
Mabel, when she received the message !;
and a lew moments later she entered the
library where he was sitting. "Can not
assist your" she said softly, as she depos-
tied the unique silver breakfast service at
his side
He had not noticed her presence before.
He glanced hastily into her face and the
tears stood in his eyes.
II do not know whether you can or not, !"
he replied, almost wildly. "My brain is
in whirl. These papers pointing to
the heaps on his other hand" represent
all possessed. / have been here all night,
Mabel, and my conviction, after a thor
ough investigation, is that we are almost
beggars"
p" lou must rest now, at any rate" she
said, gently; and when you have drank
your coffee we will talk our misfortune
over"
While he partook of his breakfast she
busted herself in arranging the disordered
apartment. She turned off the gas which
still burned brilliantly, and throwing aside
the heavy curtains admitted the sunlight
into the room.
Not until then did she observe the
change that had taken place in her hus-
bands appearance. He was worn and
haggard, and his whole frame trembled as
with an ague. Mabel sat down near him,
and leaning her arms upon the table,
looked into his face.
You are too easily discouraged p she
exclaimed with emotion.
81 comprehend our situation much
more fully than you do" he replied,
gloomily.
"Of the business details l am, of course,
ignorant" she answered; "but they do
not alter nor affect the fact which so init
mately concerns u.s."
You realize it all, then, and yet your
heart is not brokenw he gasped rather
than asked.
You refer to conversation that passed
between us years ago ?" she inquired, the
red flush mantling her cheek and the tears
gathering in her eyes.
Yes; you told me that you would not
care to live if bereft of society and wealth
drop in this bitter, bitter cup
Forget itp' she exclaimed, passionately.
Forget that | was ever so unwomanly; SO
ungrateful. Our married life so far has
proven failure, but there is time enough
to redeem 1t %
Colonel Holbeck could scarcely believe
that he heard Alright.
You are not testing with me, Mabel ?''
Indeed, indeed / am not p she ex-
claimed, earnestly. although | have
proved recreant to the trust you once re-
posed in me, l am worthier to-day to be
your wife than Twas upon our bridal morn
ing. If you will only esteem me again as
you once did, you shall never have cause
| to regret it p
Colonel Holbeck gathered her TO his
heart and pressed his lips to her forehead
There were but few thousands left OF
all the Colonefs vast estates, but that was
enough TO enable them so live in ease and
retirement, and Mable was only too pleased
to show by her future conduct that after
| all she was not SO heart;ess and selfish as
she had pretended, or even imagined.
A lucky speculation on the Stock Elk
change one day made the Colonel richer
than ever, but Mabel insisted on their still
remaining in the country and devoting her
leisure hours to doing good to the poorer
community about her. To the INDECENT
she was known as 'The Angel of Charity"
and her husband often and often declared
she was indeed ''The Old Mans Darling"
~. 7. Journal.
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